Depression Counselling in Gibsons, BC.

Depression is often misunderstood as simply sadness, worse as self-indulgence. But this is far from the truth. People do not chose to be depressed. Symptoms of depression can include feelings of guilt, anger (at themselves or others), apathy, helplessness or agitation. My approach to help you deal with your depression includes cognitive therapy, building up self confidence, improving communication skills as well as looking at the underlying causes of depression from childhood or present situation. My role as a therapist is to act as a guide to lead you out of the darkness into clarity and hope

Depression can be experienced in a magnitude of ways and is often experienced differently by each individual. Symptoms may range from feeling increasingly irritable, experiencing a sense of emptiness and hopelessness, and an individual often will feel completely overwhelmed, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. Depression may also be experienced physically. Physical symptoms may include, but are not limited to a lack of energy, problems sleeping, pronounced weight changes, and eventually, even serious illness. In cases of mild to moderate depression, there is an increasing amount of research supporting counselling as effective as medication in improving a person’s mood. Many clients have been referred to counselling by their family doctor when...(view profile to read more)

I know all about the deep darkness of depression and how to climb out of it. Depression can be brutal and isolating. First we need to be witnessed and understood in our pain in a safe comfortable non-judgemental space. Then we can learn tools and strategies to face the things that seem impossible to face. I will support you to take the steps necessary to improve your depression.

When I use narrative therapy to work with clients experiencing depression, I focus on helping them re-author the stories they tell about themselves and their lives. So often, depression is tied to dominant narratives that make people feel powerless, unworthy, or stuck. Together, we work to externalize the problem—separating them from their depression—so they can see it as something they’re facing, not something that defines who they are. This opens up space for us to explore alternative stories that highlight their resilience, strengths, and values. By shifting the focus from what feels wrong to what’s possible, I aim to help them reclaim a sense of agency and nurture a more hopeful view.

As someone who has a history of depression personally and intergenerationally, I am well aware of the great challenges and opportunities for growth that this experience can bring. For those struggling with depression, healing can feel elusive, as if nothing will ever work. It often requires a wider lens, an eye for patterns and a deeply supportive and holistic orientation to shift this dynamic. My approach comes from my years of experience moving through and finally out of my own depression and integrating the ancestral patterns that laid the foundation for it in my life. I now come to you with a wide-reaching tool kit to support you in your journey.

Olivia is passionate about supporting individuals struggling with depression and the deep isolation it often brings. Using a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, she helps clients identify and understand the underlying causes of their depression, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop healthier perspectives. Olivia also provides practical, actionable steps to help clients re-engage with life, rebuild connections, and rediscover joy. With empathy and expertise, she creates a supportive space for clients to navigate their emotions, regain hope, and work toward meaningful change. Olivia’s goal is to empower her clients to move forward with resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.

I will listen to the stories of your experience with depression. Together we will find ways of coping with depression, while working on acceptance of living skillfully with depression. I will teach you how to be more compassionate with yourself, using techniques from Mindful Self-Compassion. I will help you build capacity to cope with depression and capitalize on your strengths.

Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or constantly tired? Are you struggling with a sadness that won't lift, losing interest in things you once loved, or trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts? I get it. Depression is tough. But with the right support, you can find joy again, rediscover motivation, and build resilience. As a clinical counsellor, I'm here to help you reclaim your life with compassionate, results-oriented therapy using proven techniques. Let’s take this journey together. Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today and start moving towards a brighter, more empowered future.

As human beings, we mostly ignore the flashing red engine light warning us that a tune up is in order. We put our heads down and keep going and before we know it we're just not functioning right. My role in helping you through depression is reconnecting you with your needs: emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, relational, and occupational, so that you become your best champion in meeting your needs and feeling more connected to yourself and others.

If you are suffering from depression, reaching out for help by looking for a counsellor is an excellent place to start. Research has shown several counselling modalities to be effective for treating depression, with or without the concurrent use of medications. I will tailor therapeutic interventions according to your unique situation, as we consider the role that your mind, body, spirit, and relationships may play in your depression. I will help you find immediate, practical changes you can make to start feeling better right away, as well as explore the possible root causes of your depression. Long-lasting and significant change toward a brighter and happier life is possible.

Depression makes even the simplest tasks feel impossible, but you don’t have to battle it alone. If you're feeling lost, exhausted, or disconnected from the things you once loved, I can help. Together, we will uncover the patterns keeping you stuck, find relief from emotional pain, and help you regain control over your life. There is a path forward, and I will help you take that first step. You deserve to feel better.

If depression could speak, it would say "why bother?" Depression leaves us feeling unmotivated, hopeless, and negative about ourselves and our potential. In counselling, I provide a compassion-focused approach to treating depression that will help you to increase your sense self-worth and build motivation to mobilize yourself. I believe that when treating depression, it is essential to explore emotions such as anger, guilt and shame that often perpetuate a defeated and empty state. Doing so can feel uncomfortable, but is ultimately liberating. Many of my depressed - even suicidal - clients report that therapy has helped improve their mood and take meaningful action in their lives.

Therapy with me offers a grounded, compassionate space to explore your experience of depression without shame or pressure. Together, we'll gently untangle the weight you've been carrying, reconnect with your strengths and build tools for navigation daily life. Whether your depression feels like numbness, sadness, or exhaustion, you don't have to face it alone. Our work will focus on hope through relationship, creating space for change, and helping you feel more life yourself again--bit by bit.

Real Solutions to Real Challenges. Common Sense Techniques Get relief from depresion. Depression is a symptom that may stem from an identifyable event, an unfulfilled intention, poor self-worth, perfectionistic traits,or as a result of a trauma such as sexual abuse, bullying, poor attachment . Over time an individuals brain chemistry can physically change. When a depresion trigger occurs it then becomes easier for that individual to go to an even darger place. Hoplessness sets in and the person becomes very discouraged. Martin helps his clients to understand these patterns, reframe beliefs, and discharge the issues that are at the core of the depresssion.

Depression is now the number one cause of suffering in the world today (World Health Organization Statistics). Each person's story is different and there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to treating depression, depending upon the severity of symptoms. I assess and offer practical tools as well as create a safe and secure place and environment for people to come and talk to me about things that they may not tell anyone else because of the shame and stigma of depression. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy as well as a number of other therapeutic techniques which have been proven to help with depression.